Bruny ferry plan ‘small, slow, cheap’ says Incat boss Bob Clifford

THE planned new Bruny Island ferries are “small, slow and cheap”, says Incat chairman Bob Clifford. READ THE EDITORIAL

Incat’s proposed vessel and dock for Bruny Island ferry service.

THE planned new Bruny Island ferries are “small, slow and cheap”, Incat chairman Bob Clifford says.

SeaLink Group has been awarded the tender to operate ferry services between Bruny Island and Kettering for the next decade.

It plans to build two new 45m ferries with a capacity of up to 40 cars, with the first to be delivered in the second half of next year and the other in the first half of 2021.

But Mr Clifford said his company would not be among those tendering to build the ferries.

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An artist’s impression of one of the SeaLink ferries to ply the Kettering to Bruny Island route. Picture: SEALINK

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An artist’s impression of the vehicle deck of the SeaLink ferry. Picture: SEALINK

“Incat believe to tender would not be in the best interest of the company nor would it be in the best interest of the Bruny Island population and island visitors,” he said.

“Incat did propose to build, for an operator, two larger, faster, state-of-the art vessels that would auto-dock at two new terminals.

“These new vessels and docks would have allowed 56 cars to leave each terminal at peak times every 15 minutes – an hourly capacity of 448 vehicles.

“Such a capacity would have minimised or eliminated waiting times. A priority loading lane could be provided for local residents and priority vehicles.

“Incat remains ready to build larger, faster, new vessels and new terminals and are willing to discuss the details with any interested party placing an order.”

The Government’s decision to award the tender to SeaLink has been criticised by tourism industry figures and locals as potentially reducing capacity on the route at the same time visitor numbers boom.

Between 150 and 200 people went to a community meeting on Sunday at the Barnes Bay CWA

Hall to share concerns about the State Government’s decision to award SeaLink a 10-year contract to operate the island’s ferry service.

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Labor MP David O’Byrne said the Government was scrambling to fix a mess of their own making.

“It seems like they’re making it up as they go along,” he said..

“The revelation around Bob Clifford’s views obviously some work that he put into it raises more questions than answers.

“What other options were provided for this service in the expressions of interest?

“What other tenderers have been involved and has the government tried to do a quick and dirty and not only shortchanged the community and the tourism industry, but stuffed it up from day one?”